With both teams having dropped more points after scoring the first goal than any other side in La Liga this season, the notion of the opening goal being ominous certainly would have crossed their respective minds. Real Mallorca and Almería shared spoils for majority of the first half, before the hosts broke the visitors’ resistance in the 25th minute via Pablo Maffeo’s header from close range following a huge deflection towards his path.
Coming into the round just a point and a place behind the hosts, Almería didn’t lose hope though, with forward Largie Ramazani leading the line in search of the equaliser. However, it was the Piratas who came close to doubling their tally six minutes before HT, when ex-Lazio marksman Vedat Muriqi sent his first-time shot well wide of the left post.
The Rojiblancos didn’t hesitate to take the game to Mallorca once the game resumed, as they complimented one another rather seamlessly in a bid to level the scoreline. Ramazani let fly a superb long range effort towards the left corner as the hour mark approached, only to see Predrag Rajković deny him with an amazing save. Nevertheless, the home side gradually got back into the game and defended their one-goal lead successfully to register a fourth straight H2H victory.
Maffeo proved to be instrumental in both attack and defence as he led his side to maintain the lead and win all three points. The win takes the Pirates into the top-half of the table, and at the same time inflicts Almeria’s third winless match away from home.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Pablo Maffeo (Real Mallorca)